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Black America Web
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Black America Web
Dear Old Morehouse: Can We Not With Cornel West?
Source: Pacific Press / Getty Let me start by saying that I did not want to write this. There was a time when the name Cornel West meant something to me. To many of us, in fact. There was a time when he was one of the sharpest moral minds in the public square; a philosophical firebrand who challenged systems, elevated Black radical thought, and demanded the world reckon with justice, truth, and dignity. That time was real, but unfortunately, that time has passed. And yet, in 2025, somehow Dr. West will take the stage as the commencement speaker at Morehouse College, my esteemed alma mater. I say this not with anger, but with disappointment. As a Morehouse man, I believe in the sanctity of our traditions, especially our commencement. That stage is a sacred one, a place for celebrating the triumph, vision, and integrity of these young Black men before they're loosed upon a hostile world. It should not be used for reputation rehab — certainly not for men who have spent the last 20 years abandoning the very values they once claimed to champion. This isn't about politics. This is about priorities. Cornel West has, for the better part of two decades, chosen celebrity over community. From his infamous spoken word album to his media appearances alongside Bill Maher and Tucker Carlson, Dr. West has steadily transformed himself from a scholar of the people to a caricature of one. It's only appropriate that I mention Matrix Reloaded here. It wasn't his fault, but it doesn't help his case. Source: Professor Cornel West(C) along with Clergy members and other demonstrators protest for the shooting of Michael Brown as they march to the Ferguson Police Station October, 13 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Civil rights organizations, protest groups and people from around the country were protesting the August 9 shooting of Brown, which involved Ferguson Police officer Darren Wilson and other killings of black youths at the hands of police officers. AFP PHOTO/Joshua Lott (Photo credit should read Joshua LOTT/AFP/Getty Images) / Getty His words are still lofty, his diction still florid, but there is a hollowness to his message now, a performance rather than a purpose. An act, not a calling. A pantomime of philosophical thinking. At the height of Barack Obama's presidency, when so many of us were reckoning with the significance of a Black man in the White House, it was Cornel West and his longtime ally Tavis Smiley who seemed most committed to tearing that moment down. Criticism is fair. Constructive critique is necessary. But what West and Smiley offered wasn't critique; it was contempt. It was personal. Petty. Unrelenting. While they claimed to speak on behalf of 'the people,' they spent more time bashing Obama from cable news green rooms than they did organizing or investing in actual Black communities. And now, as Cornel West's star fades, as his once-revered presence in academia has become a cautionary tale, he returns to us—to Morehouse, to HBCUs—as if we are obligated to provide cover. We are not. These times are too serious to be wasted on unserious people. Morehouse, perhaps more than any other institution, understands the weight of the moment we are in. We live in a time of economic uncertainty, social unrest, and ideological warfare. Our young men are preparing to enter a world where the stakes have never been higher. The class of 2025 deserves to be celebrated by someone who sees them, who reflects their hopes, and who challenges them to rise. They deserve a speaker who has walked the walk, who has committed themselves to excellence in their given field, not just self-aggrandizement through performance, but an example of purpose. Dr. Cornel West has not done that. Source: Jemal Countess / Getty He spent the better part of his career currying favor with the Ivy League: Harvard, Princeton, Yale. These are the institutions that defined his trajectory, that gave him his platform. That he now returns to the Black community seeking redemption, after years of neglect, is not only ironic, it's opportunistic. He's been an irregular fixture without a sustained presence within the HBCU landscape. He has not taught in our classrooms, mentored our students, or contributed meaningfully to our infrastructure. And yet he now wishes to use one of our most revered stages—a culmination of generations of Black excellence and struggle—as a platform to polish the turd of his public image. These times are too serious to be wasted on unserious people. There are leaders among us (yes, some of them Morehouse men) who have carried the mantle of Black excellence with humility and consistency. There are public servants, politicians, educators, artists, and entrepreneurs who have not only spoken about justice but have done the work. Giants in tech, media, and education who are living testaments to what Morehouse stands for. I could name names, but that's not what this is about. These are the kinds of men who should be considered. These voices should be elevated. Choosing Cornel West sends a mixed message. It tells our graduates that notoriety matters more than consistency. That eloquence trumps engagement. That a once-great voice, no matter how far it has strayed, is worth more than the many steadfast ones in our community. That one who has yet to atone should be forgiven because of their status and not their actions. That is not the Morehouse I know. That is not the Morehouse that raised me. I understand the temptation of celebrity. I understand the allure of a name that still rings out to many, even if its echo has grown faint. But we must be cautious of who we allow to represent us at our most pivotal moments. Commencement is not just a ceremony, it is a declaration. A moment of spiritual inheritance. And it must be treated with reverence. Dr. West, for all his early brilliance, has not earned that right. These times are too serious to be wasted on unserious people. Our young men deserve more. More than recycled rhetoric. More than media posturing. More than a man who, historically, turned his back on the institutions that have always stood for us. Not that our esteemed president, Dr. David Thomas, cares. This is his last graduation. As this is his swan song, it's more of a Price Is Right trombone than a triumphant march out the door. Let us hold the line. Let us protect the stage. Let us make allowances for voices that still believe in the power of service over stardom. Corey Richardson is originally from Newport News, Va., and currently lives in Chicago, Ill. Ad guy by trade, Dad guy in life, and grilled meat enthusiast, Corey spends his time crafting words, cheering on beleaguered Washington, D.C., sports franchises, and yelling obscenities at himself on golf courses. You can check out his website: or subscribe to his Substack: for more on him and his happenings. SEE ALSO: A Treatise on Single Black Fatherhood in Modern Times The Tragic Case of Rodney Hinton Jr. And The Trauma Of Black Grief In America SEE ALSO Dear Old Morehouse: Can We Not With Cornel West? was originally published on Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
New York Post
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Ryanair passenger's bizarre sleeping position is a shocker: ‘Extremely dangerous'
Is it a Ryan-air mattress? Catching sleep at 30,000 feet might seem impossible. However, one enterprising Ryanair passenger has devised an unorthodox way to grab some shuteye in the sky despite cramped onboard conditions, as observed in a TikTok video with 2.7 million views. The footage, filmed by another traveler seated behind the subject, pans to a man who has adopted a chair-like position, but his back is level on the floor, and his legs and socked feet are propped on his seat at a 90-degree angle. Advertisement His face, meanwhile, is under the seat in front of him where his carry-on bags would normally go, essentially recreating business-class legroom in economy. 3 The passenger hits the deck and adopts an unorthodox — and possibly dangerous — sleeping position. TikTok / @vsimpadel The mile-high contortionist remained in the topsy-turvy sleeping pose for the entire three-hour flight, according to the caption, in which the uploader quipped, 'This can happen only if you fly with Ryanair.' Advertisement 3 Many commenters felt that the passenger was asking for a head injury. TikTok / @vsimpadel 3 'This can happen only if you fly with Ryanair,' the uploader quipped in the caption to the clip. Alberto Brevers/Pacific Press/Shutterstock The Post has reached out to Ryanair for comment. The would-be napper's inverted seating position divided commenters, with one joking, 'He was probably the only comfortable person in the plane.' Advertisement 'He might be onto something here,' admitted another fan. 'He probably has back pain,' said a third. 'That's pretty smart.' However, others claimed that the flyer's nap hack was 'extremely dangerous,' not to mention unsanitary. Advertisement 'On the back of his head is the place of thousands of toilet shoe bottoms,' said one critic, while another wrote, 'Things that will never happen: me voluntarily touching an airplane floor with any skin.' 'Turbulence > Brain injury,' warned a third, while someone else quipped, 'If the person in front farts, he's done.' In 2020, Taylor Garland, spokeswoman for the Association of Flight Attendants, warned that turbulence can turn an unfastened passenger into a 'projectile.' According to the Federal Aviation Administration, rough skies are the number one cause of injuries to passengers and crew members on commercial airlines. Meanwhile, a total of 34 passengers and 129 crew members were seriously injured due to the phenomenon from 2009 to 2022, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. In 2012, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary controversially told the Telegraph that 'seatbelts don't matter' as they wouldn't save passengers in the event of 'a crash on an aircraft.' Advertisement Last year, a 73-year-old British traveler died after an aircraft plunged 6,000 feet during a bout of turbulence on a Singapore Airlines flight from London to Singapore.
Black America Web
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Black America Web
Candace Owens The Latest Donald Trump Fan To Regret Support For Felon 47 Following Attacks On Universities
Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE Source: Pacific Press / Getty / Candace Owens Donald Trump must be doing something wrong when his biggest fans are now regretting their support for him following his administration's attack on Harvard University. Speaking on a recent episode of her podcast, Candace, the far-right conservative, expressed her distaste for Trump and his administration's attacks on colleges and universities as part of their ongoing campaign to get rid of DEI, calling it a blatant attack on free speech. 'I never thought that I would see a day where I would be rooting for a university above Donald J. Trump and his administration,' Owens said. 'But I don't recognize this administration right now. I don't recognize what's happening. I have a theory. I do.' Hell, we never thought we would see the day either, mainly because Owens has been a staunch supporter of Trump and attacked other organizations like Black Lives Matter, other civil rights movements, plus other liberal ideologies. Owens also called out people in Trump's inner circle for continuing to suck up to Felon 47 because they are 'are still trying to grift.' 'Which is ridiculous, because when you are out of office, we are going to have to live with these consequences,' Owens said, adding, 'Our children are going to have to grow up in this America.' Ownes Has Her Theories The edgless conservative feels these attacks are 'not worth it' and are only being implemented to make Trump and his supporters feel like they are accomplishing something. She also feels loudmouths like herself and Tucker Carlson could face serious consequences for the things they say. 'Everyone can see what's happening left and right,' she continued. Her comments come after Trump's battle with Harvard, in which the university stood up to his administration, telling them it would not comply with Trump administration's demands. The historic institution filed a lawsuit last week after the administration's threat to freeze research unless they comply. Social Media Is Not Buying Candace Owens Flipping On Trump Despite Owens turning on Trump, social media is giving her and those who happily pulled the lever for Trump the ultimate side eye. ' Candace Owens and Joe Rogan spent years hyping up Trump, and now that they're criticizing him, suddenly they're the voices of reason? They're not principled, they're just riding the wave. They see that Trump's loyalists aren't trending anymore, so they're pivoting,' one person on X, formerly Twitter, wrote. Another user on X wrote, ' Maaan, don't let Candace Owens rebrand herself to ingratiate a black audience and be anti-Trump, saying she didn't know he would be like this. She was throwing us and our 'culture' under the bus for years. Leave her where she at – let MAGA care for her lol.' Beware of the jig. You can see more reactions in the gallery below. Candace Owens The Latest Donald Trump Fan To Regret Support For Felon 47 Following Attacks On Universities was originally published on
New York Post
29-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Hochul, NY lawmakers reach agreement on mask-wearing criminals
The New York state budget deal includes a new law that would tack on an extra charge for perps who wear masks while committing another crime, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Monday. The governor and state lawmakers finally struck a deal — though it's a far cry from an outright mask ban that some advocates were pushing for in response to out-of-control anti-Israel protests that have been filled with menacing masked demonstrators. The agreed-to penalty could only be leveled if a suspect is charged with a class A misdemeanor or anything more serious, according to Hochul, who initially wanted stronger legislation. Advertisement The compromise reached is a watered-down version of what Hochul asked for at first. Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie also confirmed the mask law deal attached to the $254 billion state spending plan while talking to reporters in Albany earlier Monday. 'It's really trying to concentrate on people who wear a mask in regards to hiding their identity while they commit another crime,' Heastie said, according to Gothamist. Advertisement State Sen. James Skoufis, who pushed for harder mask restrictions, told the outlet the new charge would be a class B misdemeanor and would also apply to suspects covering their faces while fleeing a crime scene. 'I think it's an important acknowledgement, and it's a response to a very legitimate issue that is very strongly felt by a lot of New Yorkers, including the Jewish community,' the Democrat said. 'We are at least doing something. It's narrower than I would've liked.' Wearing masks in public was outlawed in the state before the ban was lifted at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Masked demonstrators protest outside Columbia University on April 17. AP Hochul originally wanted to create an increased penalty if someone hid their face while threatening a group of people, but lefty lawmakers balked at that proposal — and civil liberty activists also voiced concern, leading to the narrower law agreed to this week. The contentious issue was first raised after a wave of off-the-rails anti-Israel protests engulfed the Big Apple with mask-wearing goons directing antisemitic hate toward city Jews last year. Advertisement 'This is a step forward in an addressing a crisis that has spiraled out of control in New York, as masked up individuals have used face and head coverings as tools of terror to target and menace,' Will Miller, a spokesperson for #UnMaskHateNY, wrote in a statement noting that 'this isn't done.' 'We are committed for the long haul to ensure that legislation meets the crisis.'
New York Post
28-04-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Trump admin revokes 4K visas for students with criminal records
The Trump administration has revoked the visas of 4,000 foreign students in its first 100 days — the bulk of which have committed crimes in the US including arson, assault and robbery, The Post has learned. More than 90% of the rogue students who saw their visas nixed had committed crimes such as arson, wildlife and human trafficking, child endangerment, domestic abuse, DUI and robbery, a senior State Department source told The Post Monday. More than 500 of them had assault raps. 3 The Trump administration has revoked the visas of 4,000 foreign students in its first 100 days. AFP via Getty Images Advertisement 'They came and they were breaking the law with no consequences,' said the source. 'We set up a special action team to handle this.' The State Department worked with the Department of Homeland Security, which tapped into their databases and compared that information with existing law enforcement records. Advertisement Officials only considered 'serious' cases as part of the effort. 'There were cases like where it was not a serious thing, like littering, or somebody had charges that were dropped, where we didn't revoke those. Because it should be a serious matter,' said the source. The thousands of students, most of whom hail from Asia and the Middle East, were swiftly notified that the State Department had stripped them of their status in the US. Some have already departed on their own while others will soon be rounded up by immigration agents as part of Trump's mass deportation agenda. Advertisement 3 Students protest at Hunter College against the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign. Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/Shutterstock 3 Students and faculty from the City University of New York (CUNY) hold a rally to support foreign students who had their visas revoked by the Trump admin. Michael Nigro/Pacific Press/Shutterstock It's unclear how many still face deportation. 'Perhaps in the future other visa categories, not just students, will be looked at,' the source said. Advertisement Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spearheaded the Trump administration's effort to crack down on immigrant students, including a 'zero tolerance' policy for those who partook in anti-Israel protests. 'No one's entitled to a student visa,' Rubio said in a recent cabinet meeting. 'If you come to this country as a student, we expect you to go to class and study and get a degree. If you come here to vandalize a library, take over a campus, and do all kinds of crazy things, we're going to get rid of these people.'
